Power rail system

ABSTRACT

A power rail system including a rail assembly, which includes a sidewall, a first interior compartment at least partially enclosed by the sidewall, the first interior compartment extending longitudinally along the first rail assembly, an opening in communication with the first interior compartment, the opening positioned along the sidewall, and a second interior compartment at least partially enclosed by the sidewall, the second interior compartment extending longitudinally along the first rail assembly and configured to receive the connector member therein. The power rail system can further include an electrical outlet assembly positionable within the first interior compartment. Further, various accessories, such as privacy screens, can be supported by the rail assembly. Still further, multiple rail assemblies can be connected together to customize the size and/or configuration of the power rail system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/058035, filed Oct. 25,2019 entitled POWER RAIL SYSTEM, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/751,136, entitledPOWERED RAIL SYSTEM, filed Oct. 26, 2018, the entire disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is related to a power rail system for use withdesks and other office equipment. The power rail system is configured toprovide access to electrical outlets within a working environment in aflexible, organized, and freely positionable manner, allowing users tofreely configure their working environment floorplan as desired, withoutbeing restricted based upon the locations of the buildings' electricaloutlets, through placement of the power rail systems.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a power rail system comprising a rail assemblyand an electrical outlet assembly. The rail assembly is configured to beconnected to a second rail assembly by a connector member. The firstassembly comprises a sidewall; a first interior compartment at leastpartially enclosed by the sidewall, the first interior compartmentextending longitudinally along the first rail assembly; an opening incommunication with the first interior compartment, the openingpositioned along the sidewall; and a second interior compartment atleast partially enclosed by the sidewall, the second interiorcompartment extending longitudinally along the first rail assembly andconfigured to receive the connector member therein. The electricaloutlet assembly is configured to be disposed at least partially withinthe first interior compartment, the electrical outlet assemblycomprising an electrical outlet configured to be received through theopening such that a face of the electrical outlet is uncovered by thefirst rail assembly.

FIGURES

The features of various aspects are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. The various aspects, however, both as to organizationand methods of operation, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings asfollows.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power rail system, in accordance withat least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a power rail system, in accordance with atleast one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a power railassembly, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a pair of attached power railassemblies, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a power railassembly, including a connector member, in accordance with at least oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a pair of power rail assembliesbeing attached together via connector members, in accordance with atleast one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a pair of attached power railassemblies, including a cover positioned thereover, in accordance withat least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a power rail assembly cover, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a privacy screen attached to apair of power rail assemblies, in accordance with at least one aspect ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a privacy screen connector forattaching a privacy screen to a power rail assembly, in accordance withat least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an overheard perspective view of a privacy screenconnector, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a privacy screen connectorattached to a power rail assembly via a mounting bracket, in accordancewith at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates an overhead perspective view of an end portion of apower rail assembly, including mounting holes, in accordance with atleast one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a leg attached to a power railassembly via a mounting bracket, in accordance with at least one aspectof the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of power rail assembliescomprising electrical outlet assemblies, in accordance with at least oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an end portion of a power railassembly shown in FIG. 15, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a reverse side of a power railassembly shown in FIG. 15, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of a power rail assemblycomprising an opening cover, in accordance with at least one aspect ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of an end portion of a power railassembly comprising an end cap, in accordance with at least one aspectof the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

Certain aspects will now be described to provide an overallunderstanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture,and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or moreexamples of these aspects are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the devices andmethods specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting example aspects and that thescope of the various aspects is defined solely by the claims. Thefeatures illustrated or described in connection with one aspect may becombined with the features of other aspects. Such modifications andvariations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the terms and expressionsemployed herein have been chosen for the purpose of describing theillustrative aspects for the convenience of the reader and are not tolimit the scope thereof.

The present disclosure generally discloses a power rail system that caninclude a rail assembly (which can also be referred to as a “boom”),which can include one or more legs to support the rail assembly in afree-standing manner, and an electrical outlet assembly at leastpartially enclosed by the rail assembly. The power rail system isdesigned to allow the electrical outlet assembly to be freely positionedwithin a workspace in an organized and efficient manner, therebyallowing individuals to customize their workspace floorplan as theydesire by allowing power to be brought to anywhere within the workspace.Further, the rail assemblies can be removably connected to correspondingrail assemblies to customize the size and/or configuration of the powerrail system. For example, FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and anexploded view of a power rail system, respectively, in accordance withat least one aspect of the present disclosure. In the depicted example,the power rail system includes two rail assemblies that can be removablyconnected together; however, this is simply for illustrative purposes,and the power rail system can include any number of rail assemblies.

The example power rail system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises afirst power rail assembly or section 101 a and a second power railassembly or section 101 b removably joined together, as is describedbelow. The power system further includes a power outlet assembly 800that is at least partially enclosed by the respective rail section 101a, 101 b. Each rail assembly 101 a, 101 b can further include one ormore legs 600 that are attachable thereto. The number of legs 600 in useby the power rail system can be selected by the user and can depend inpart upon the number of rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b that are connectedtogether. For example, when a single rail assembly 101 a, 101 b is beingutilized, it can be recommended to attach two legs 600 thereto.Conversely, when two rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b are connectedtogether, as shown in FIG. 1, it can be recommended to attach only asingle leg to each of the rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b because thatprovides enough stability for the power rail system.

Each power rail assembly 101 a, 101 b of the power rail system canfurther include a connector to which various accessories, such as aprivacy screen 500 can be attached. For example, the power railassemblies 101 a, 101 b can include a privacy screen connector 502 thatis configured to be attached to the power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 band is further configured to receive and secure a privacy screen 500therein. The privacy screen connector 502 can include a U-shaped memberthat is configured to receive the privacy screen 500 therein, as shownin FIGS. 10 and 11, for example.

The rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b can include a variety of additionalcomponents, such as a cover 400 (FIGS. 7 and 8), a snap cover 406 forportions of the rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b unoccupied by a poweroutlet assembly 800, or an end cap 700, all of which are describedfurther below.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a power rail assembly 101 may comprise amember 200 that has, in the illustrated example, a generally C-shaped,open-faced profile. The member 200 can include an upright wall 102 and apair of lateral or internal walls 103 extending perpendicularlytherefrom. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, thecross-sectional profile of the member 200 may be formed by extruding amaterial through a die that corresponds to the C-shaped cross-sectionalprofile shown in FIG. 3. According to one aspect, the member 200 can befabricated from a metal (e.g., aluminum), a polymer, a compositematerial, or another extrudable material. The power rail assembly 101can further include one or more slots 208 positioned on the member 200.The slot 208 can be sized and configured for attachment of variousadditional components thereto, which is described in further detailbelow. The depicted aspect includes two slots 208 positioned at opposingends of the member 200; however, this is simply an example, and othernumbers and positions of the slot(s) 208 are possible. In the depictedaspect, the slots 208 are positioned adjacently to the opposing surfacesof the lateral walls 103. The power rail assembly 101 can furtherinclude one or more channels 202 that are configured to receive aconnector member 300 (FIG. 5) therethrough for connecting the power railassembly 101 to another power rail assembly (as shown in FIG. 1), whichis described in further detail below. The channels 202 can defineinterior compartments that are sized and shaped to receive a connectormember 300 therein. The depicted aspect includes four channels 202arranged in opposing pairs, where each pair is positioned adjacently toa corresponding slot 208; however, this is simply an example, and othernumbers and positions of the channel(s) 202 are possible.

In various aspects, the power rail assembly 101 can include variousfeatures for allowing components of the power rail system to be securedthereto. For example, the power rail assembly 101 can include a threadedslot 204 in communication with the interior portion(s) of the member 200and/or a slot 208, which can be seen further in FIG. 19. The depictedaspect includes two threaded slots 204 positioned oppositely withrespect to each other. In particular, each of the threaded slots 204 ispositioned longitudinally along each of the adjoining surfaces betweenthe slots 208 and the lateral walls 103 of the member 200. The threadedslots 204 can include threading that is configured to engage withcorresponding threading of a fastener. The threaded slots 204 can beutilized to secure components of the power rail system within theinterior 1103 of the member 200 and/or to the slot 208 via a fastener,which is described in further detail below. The interior 1103 can definean interior compartment that is at least partially enclosed by the walls102, 103 of the member 200. The interior 1103 can be configured toreceive various components therein, such as electrical outlet assemblies800 (FIGS. 15-18). The power rail assembly 101 can further include achannel slot 206 in communication with a channel 202. The depictedaspect includes two channel slots 206 positioned longitudinally alongthe outer surfaces of the channels 202 that are oriented adjacently tothe open portion of the C-shaped member 200. Further, the channel slots206 are oriented perpendicularly with respect to the threaded slot(s)204. The channel slots 206 can be utilized to permit a tool therethroughfor securing fasteners, which is described in further detail below.

In various aspects, the power rail assembly 101 may be symmetrical in atop-to-bottom direction (e.g., about a plane extending horizontallythrough axis 1-1 perpendicular to the upright wall 102). For example,the member 200, channels 202, slots 208, threaded slots 204, and channelslots 206 can be symmetrical about the plane extending through axis 1-1.As another example, the upper and lower internal walls 103 of the member200 can further be symmetrical about the plane extending through axis1-1. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the internal walls 103 may comprise acurved profile 104. According to one aspect, such a curved profile 104may assist in maintaining longitudinally extending elements (e.g., wiresor cables) in place within the power rail assembly 101. For example, thecurved profile 104 may urge the wires or cables located within theinterior 1103 of the member 200 towards the internal corners between theupright wall 102 and the internal walls 103. Accordingly, the curvedprofile 104 may urge wires or cables away from components mounted to thethreaded slots 204 extending longitudinally along the internal walls103. In other aspects, various features of the power rail assembly 101may be symmetrical in a side-to-side or lateral direction (e.g., about aplane extending vertically through axis 2-2 parallel to the upright wall102). Such features may include the channels 202, lobes of thelongitudinal slots 208, threads of the threaded slots 204, the curvedprofile 104 of the internal walls 103, and so on.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a first power rail assembly 101 a isattachable to a second power rail assembly 101 b and, in this example,is attachable to up to two other power rail assemblies (e.g., at each ofits ends). The power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b can be provided indifferent lengths, thereby allowing users to customize the size and/orconfiguration of the power rail system by selecting and attachingtogether power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b of desired lengths.Referring now to FIG. 5, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure, attachment between multiple power rail assemblies 101 a, 101b may be enabled via one or more channels 202 (e.g., positioned proximalto the front-faced opening of the C-shaped, open-faced member 200) and anumber (e.g., one or more) of connector members 300. The connectormembers 300 and the channels 202 can have complementary shapes such thatthe connector members 300 can be received and retain therein. Althoughthe connector members 300 and the channels 202 are depicted as having arectangular profile, other shapes, including circular, triangular, andhexagonal profiles, are contemplated by the present disclosure.According to various aspects of the present disclosure, each connectormember 300 may be configured to slidably fit within each respectivechannel 202. Further, according to such aspects, each connector member300 can be configured to be secured to each of the power rail assemblies101 a, 101 b when positioned within the respective channels 202 of eachof the power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b. In one aspect, the connectormember 300 can include two or more threaded apertures 304.

Accordingly, the connector member 300 can be positioned within thechannel 202 of the first power rail assembly 101 a such that a fastenersecured to one of the threaded apertures 304 secures the connectormember 300 in place within that channel 202. Correspondingly, theconnector member 300 can likewise be positioned within the channel 202of the second power rail assembly 101 b such that a fastener secured tothe other threaded aperture 304 secures the connector member 300 inplace within the channel 202. Because the connector member 300 issecured to each of the power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b, the powerrail assemblies 101 a, 101 b are thereby secured to each other. Thisprocess can then be repeated for multiple connector members 300, asdesired by the user, to reinforce the connection between the power railassemblies 101 a, 101 b. The internally threaded apertures 304 mayextend through a thickness 303 of each connector member 300. In oneimplementation, the fasteners can be screwed into the threaded apertures304 prior to insertion of each connector member 300 into its respectivechannel 202. In this implementation, each fastener may be screwed intothe threaded apertures 304 to a depth that permits each connector member300 to slide longitudinally within each respective channel 202 withoutinterfering with an internal surface of each channel 202. Referring nowto FIG. 6, once the connector member 300 is appropriately positioned(e.g., a first portion of each connector member 300 is positioned withina channel 202 of the first power rail assembly 101 a and a secondportion of the connector member 300 in positioned within a correspondingchannel 202 of the second power rail assembly 101 b), each fastenerengaged with a respective threaded aperture 304 may be tightened tointerferingly secure each connector member 300 to each of the power railassemblies 101 a, 101 b. Referring back to FIG. 3, as the fastener istightened, the end of the fastener bears against an internal surface 105of the channel 202, which in turn causes the connector member to befrictionally engaged or wedged against the opposite internal surface 106of the channel 202 to secure the connector member 300 within the channel202 and, thus, to that particular power rail assembly 101 a, 101 b.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the channel slots 206 may be dimensioned orconfigured such that a tool 306 (e.g., an Allen wrench) can be insertedtherethrough to tighten the fasteners engaged with the threadedapertures 304 of the connector members 300. Once at least one connectormember 300 is secured to both of the adjacent power rail assemblies 101a, 101 b, the power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b are effectively securedto one another via the connector member 300.

In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, two channels 202 (i.e., thechannels 202 positioned proximal to the front-faced opening of themember 200) and two connector members 300 have been utilized to securethe adjoining power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b together. According toalternative aspects of the present disclosure, one or more of the tworemaining illustrated channels 202 (i.e., the channels 202 positioneddistal to the front-faced opening of the member 200) and up to twofurther connector members 300 may be utilized to further secure theadjoining power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b together. According to oneaspect, each of the distally positioned channels 202 may comprise alongitudinal channel slot 206 (not shown), as with each of theproximally positioned channel slots 206 to exhibit similar functionalityusing the additional connector members 300. According to another aspect,each of the distally positioned channels 202 may not comprise alongitudinal channel slot 206 and the two additional connector members300 may simply float within the distally positioned channels 202. Insuch aspects, the additional connector members 300 in the distallypositioned channels 202 can further secure the power rail assemblies 101a, 101 b together and prevent separation at the seam 110 where theadjoining edges of the power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b meet. Absentthe additional connector members 300, separation could occur at the seam110 during physical movement or manipulation of attached power railassemblies 101 a, 101 b, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the power rail assembly 101 a, 101 b canfurther comprise a cover 400. According to various aspects of thepresent disclosure, the cover 400 may be formed by extruding a materialthrough a die that corresponds to its cross-sectional profile. Accordingto one aspect, the cover 400 can be fabricated from a metal (e.g.,aluminum), a polymer, a composite material, or another extrudablematerial. The cover 400 can comprise snap features 402 configured toengage with the walls 301 of the member 200 defining the opening 501(which also define, in part, the channel slot 206) and interferinglyand/or fittingly attach the cover 400 to the member 200, as is alsoshown in FIG. 19. According to one aspect of the present disclosure,each snap feature 402 comprises a hook-like feature configured to hookover a corresponding wall 301 of the member 200. Referring now to FIG.8, in one aspect, the snap features 402 can extend along the length ofthe cover 400 to more securely attach the cover 400 to a power railassembly 101 (i.e., by providing a long interacting surface area).According to alternative aspects, a plurality of fasteners (not shown)may be utilized in lieu of or in addition to the snap features 402 toattach (or further attach) the cover 400 to the member 200. The cover400 is configured to cover or enclose the contents of the power railassembly 101, which can include power outlets, power lines/components,data lines/components, voice lines/components, and so on.

Each cover 400 may be symmetrical top to bottom (e.g., about a planeextending horizontally through axis 1-1 perpendicular to the uprightwall 102), similarly as described above with respect to the power railassembly 101 in FIG. 3. For example, each snap feature 402 may comprisea hook-like feature symmetrical about the plane extending through axis1-1. Furthermore, according to various aspects, cutouts or openings 404may be defined in the face of the cover 400. According to such aspects,the openings 404 may be located and sized to accommodate various poweror electrical components (e.g., power outlets, data jacks, or voicejacks) installed within or mounted to the power rail assembly 101, whichare described in greater with respect to FIGS. 15-18.

In various aspects, the power rail system can further include a varietyof accessories that are attachable to the longitudinal slots 208described above. For example, FIG. 9 illustrates a privacy screen 500that can be attached the longitudinal slot 208 of one or more power railassemblies 101 a, 101 b. In some implementations, the longitudinal slots208 of power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b can be configured to becontinuous when the power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b are connectedtogether, such that the privacy screen 500 can be positioned across theseam 110 between the adjoining power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b.According to one aspect, the privacy screen 500 can be indirectlyattached to the longitudinal slots 208, i.e., by an interveningcomponent. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the privacy screen 500can be removably connectable to a privacy screen connector 502, whichmay in turn be removably connectable to the channel slots 208 of one ormore power rail assemblies 101 a, 101 b. Referring now to FIG. 10, theprivacy screen connector 502 can include a protrusion 503 configured tofit into the longitudinal slot(s) 208. According to one aspect of thepresent disclosure, the protrusion 503 of the privacy screen connector502 can be configured to slidably fit into the longitudinal slot 208.According to another aspect, the protrusion 503 of the privacy screenconnector 502 can be configured to snuggly or interferingly fit into thelongitudinal slot 208. According to various aspects of the presentdisclosure, the privacy screen connector 502 may be formed by extrudinga material through a die that corresponds to its cross-sectionalprofile. According to one aspect, the privacy screen connector 502 canbe fabricated from a metal (e.g., aluminum), a polymer, a compositematerial, or another extrudable material.

The privacy screen connector 502 can further include sidewalls 504, 505that are formed or configured to compressively hold the privacy screen500 in place in an upright position. According to one aspect, a distancebetween the sidewalls 504, 505 proximal to the protrusion 503 (e.g., afirst distance) may be larger than a distance between the sidewalls 504,505 distal from the protrusion 503 (e.g., a second distance). In such anaspect, the privacy screen 500 may exhibit a thickness substantiallyequal to the first distance such that the sidewalls 504, 505progressively compress and/or clamp the privacy screen 500 between thefirst distance and the second distance as the privacy screen 500 isinserted into or held by the privacy screen connector 502.

Referring now to FIG. 11, attachment points 506 (e.g., fastenerapertures) may be defined in the protrusion 503 for fixedly attachingthe privacy screen connector 502 to one or more respective power railassemblies 101. The attachment points 506 may be positioned anywherealong the length of the privacy screen connector 502. The attachmentpoints 506 may be clustered together (as shown in FIG. 11) or notclustered together. As shown in FIG. 12, the privacy screen connector502 can be secured to the power rail assembly 101 by positioningfasteners 508 through the attachment points 506 of the privacy screenconnector 502 into corresponding threaded apertures of a mountingbracket 510 such that the fasteners 508 may be tightened or loosenedexternal to the longitudinal slot 208. The mounting bracket 510 can beconfigured or sized to slide within the longitudinal slot 208 to allowthe privacy screen connector 502 to be positioned anywhere along thepower rail assembly 101 (or power assemblies 101 when multiple areconnected together). According to various aspects, the threadedapertures of the mounting bracket 510 can be located to mirror thepositions (e.g. grouped/non-grouped) of the attachment points 506. In analternative aspect, the apertures defined in the mounting bracket 510may be non-threaded and the fasteners 508 may instead be configured toengage with threaded nuts, as opposed to the mounting bracket 510itself. In yet another aspect, the mounting bracket 510 may be omittedand the fasteners 508 may extend through the attachment points 506 ofthe privacy screen connector 502 and engage with threaded nuts (notshown) positioned within the longitudinal slot 208. According to such anaspect, the threaded nuts may be sized to fit within the longitudinalslot 208 such that they do not rotate (i.e., interfere with thesidewalls 1001, 1002 of the longitudinal slot 208) such that thefasteners 508 may be tightened or loosened external to the longitudinalslot 208.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the power rail assembly 101 can furtherinclude one or more mounting holes 209 defined though the longitudinalslot 208 and/or the exterior of the power rail assembly 101. Themounting holes 209 can be utilized in cooperation with mounting brackets510 for attaching accessories, such as a privacy screen 500, to thepower rail assembly 101. The mounting holes 209 could also provideaccess to threaded nuts (which could be loosely attached to the privacyscreen connector 502 via fasteners 508, for example) that have beeninserted into the longitudinal slot 208 before tightening the fasteners508 to secure the privacy screen connector 502 to a power rail assembly101. Such mounting holes 209 may be positioned anywhere along the lengthof the power rail assembly 101.

In one aspect, the mounting hole 209 can extend through an exterior wall1101 (which corresponds to an outer wall of the power rail assembly 101that at least partially encloses the channel(s) 202 and/or longitudinalslot 208 thereunder, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 13) and a lateral wall 103(as shown in FIGS. 3 and 13) of the power rail assembly 101 into theinterior 1103 thereof. This enables access to the interior 1103 for wirerouting, for example. In an alternative aspect, the mounting holes 209can only extend through the exterior wall 1101 and not through thelateral wall 103 into the interior 1103 of the power rail assembly 101.This aspect may be beneficial in implementations where it is desirableto keep the interior 1103 enclosed (e.g., to keep items from fallinginto interior 1103). In yet another aspect, a subset of the mountingholes 209 may extend through both the exterior wall 1101 and the lateralwall 103 and a separate subset of the mounting holes 209 extend throughonly the exterior wall 1101. In yet another aspect, the mounting holes209 can be omitted and the mounting bracket 510 and/or the threaded nutsmay be configured to slide into an end 1104 of the longitudinal slot 208to position the privacy screen connector 502 along the length of thelongitudinal slot 208 of the power rail assembly 101. Once positioned,the fasteners 508 may be tightened to secure the privacy screenconnector 502 in place, and the privacy screen 500 may thereafter beinserted into the privacy screen connector 502, as shown in FIG. 9, forexample.

Similarly to how a privacy screen 500 can be connected to the power railassembly 101 as shown in FIG. 13, a similar mechanism can be utilized toattach other accessories, such as legs, to the power rail assembly 101.For example, FIG. 14 illustrates a leg 600 (see also FIGS. 1 and 2)attached to a longitudinal slot 208. The longitudinal slot 208 to whichthe leg 600 is attached can be oriented oppositely with respect to thelongitudinal slot 208 to which the privacy screen 500 is attached in theexample shown in FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 14, the leg 600 can besecured to the power rail assembly 101 by positioning fasteners 508through the apertures of the leg flange 602 into corresponding threadedapertures of a mounting bracket 510 such that the fasteners 508 may betightened or loosened external to the longitudinal slot 208. Themounting bracket 510 can be configured or sized to slide within thelongitudinal slot 208 to allow the leg 600 to be positioned anywherealong the power rail assembly 101 (or power assemblies 101 when multipleare connected together). According to various aspects, the threadedapertures of the mounting bracket 510 can be located to mirror thepositions of the apertures of the leg flange 602. According to variousaspects, the apertures defined in the leg flange 602 can be located suchthat the same mounting bracket 510 can be used in more than oneapplication (e.g., to attach either a privacy screen connector 502 for aprivacy screen 500 or a leg 600). According to another aspect, theapertures defined in mounting bracket 510 may non-threaded and thefasteners 508 may extend through the apertures of the leg flange 602,through non-threaded holes of the mounting bracket 510 and into threadednuts (not shown). In an alternative aspect, the mounting bracket 510 maybe omitted and the fasteners 508 may extend through apertures of the legflange 602 and into threaded nuts. According to such an aspect, thethreaded nuts may be sized to fit within the longitudinal slot 208 suchthat they do not rotate (i.e., interfere with the sidewalls 1001, 1002of the longitudinal slot 208) such that the fasteners 508 may betightened or loosened external to the longitudinal slot 208.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the mounting holes 209 may bedefined through the longitudinal slot 208 to permit mounting brackets510 and/or threaded nuts (which could be loosely attached to the legflange 602 of a leg 600 via fasteners 508 through the apertures in theleg flange 602, for example) to slide into the longitudinal slot 208,prior to tightening the fasteners 508 to secure the leg 600 to a powerrail assembly 101. Such mounting holes 209 may be positioned anywherealong the length of the power rail assembly 101.

According to one aspect, the mounting holes 209 can extend through theexterior wall 1101 and the lateral wall 103 of the power rail assembly101 into an interior 1103 thereof. This enables access to the interior1103 for wire routing or provides entry or exit for components locatedwithin the interior 1103 (e.g., power lines/components, datalines/components, and/or voice lines/components), for example. Accordingto another aspect, the mounting holes 209 can only extend through theexterior wall 1101 and not through the lateral wall 103 into theinterior 1103 of the power rail assembly 101. This aspect may bebeneficial in implementations where it is desirable to keep the interior1103 enclosed (e.g., to keep items from falling into interior 1103). Inyet another aspect, a subset of the mounting holes 209 may extendthrough both the exterior wall 1101 and the lateral wall 103 and aseparate subset of the mounting holes 209 extend through only theexterior wall 1101. In yet another alternative aspect, the mountingholes 209 can be omitted and the mounting bracket 510 and/or thethreaded nuts may be configured to slide into an end 1104 of thelongitudinal slot 208 to position the leg 600 along the length of thelongitudinal slot 208 of the power rail assembly 101. Once positioned,the fasteners 508 may be tightened to secure the leg 600 and/or legflange 602 in place, as shown in FIG. 14, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the power rail assembly 101 can furtherinclude one or more electrical outlet assemblies 800 disposed orattachable within the interior 1103 thereof. As shown in FIG. 17, theelectrical outlet assemblies 800 can be mounted to the member 200 suchthat the face of the power outlet 801 extends through the openings 404defined in the cover 400.

Referring now to FIG. 16, in one aspect, the electrical outlet assembly800 can be attached to the member 200 and held fixedly in place withinthe interior 1103 thereof via a bracket 802 and fasteners 804 (e.g.,bolts). In one aspect, the fasteners 804 can be configured to threaddirectly into the threaded slot 204 of the power rail assembly 101. Inone aspect, the threaded slot 204 can extend along the length of themember 200, thereby allowing the electrical outlet assemblies 800 to beaffixed at any desired positon within the interior 1103 of the member200. Such a longitudinally threaded slot 204 enables selective and/orflexible mounting of internal components (e.g., power outlet assemblies,data jack assemblies, or voice jack assemblies). Furthermore, the powerrail assembly 101 can, in some aspects, include opposing threaded slots204 extending longitudinally along the top and bottom portions of themember 200. Accordingly, the electrical outlet assemblies 800 and/orother accessories can be mounted along the top and/or bottomlongitudinal threaded slots 204, as desired by the users.

The electrical outlet assemblies 800 can include power outlets 801 thatare oriented, sized, and shaped to correspond to the openings 404 (FIG.8) in the cover 400 (FIG. 8) such that the faces of the power outlets801 extending through the openings 404 when the cover 400 is secured tothe member 200. The electrical outlet assemblies 800 can include furtherpower outlets 801 that are oriented, sized, and shaped to correspondingto cutouts or openings 112 defined in the upright wall 102 of a member200, as shown in FIG. 17. Such openings 112 may be in addition to or asan alternative to the openings 404 defined in the cover 400.Accordingly, each electrical outlet assembly 800 can, in some aspects,be configured to provide an accessible power outlet 801 on both sides ofa power rail assembly 101.

The power rail system can further include opening covers 406 that areconfigured to engage with the cover openings 404 and/or the memberopenings 112. The opening covers 406 can be utilized to conceal anyopenings 112, 404 that are unused (e.g., not occupied by a power outlet801). In one aspect, each opening cover 406 can include snap features408 positioned to engage with the perimeter of the openings 112, 404 toremovably attach the opening cover 406 to the upright wall 102 of themember 200 or the cover 400, as illustrated in FIG. 18.

The power rail system can further include end caps 700 that areconfigured to engage with the open ends of a power rail assembly 101(with or without a cover 400 attached thereto). According to variousaspects, the end cap 700 can be constructed from silicone or similarflexible materials. As shown in FIG. 19, according to various aspects,the end cap 700 can be symmetrical about axis 3-3 and axis 4-4. The endcap 700 can further include protrusions 702 positioned, sized, oriented,and/or otherwise configured to engage with (e.g., interferingly fitinto) the channels 202 of the power rail assembly 101 to removablyattach the end cap 700 thereto. In one aspect, the longitudinal slot 208may further comprise a lobed profile 210. Such a lobed profile 210 isconfigured to enable the attachment of various compatible third-partyaccessories to each longitudinal slot 208.

In sum, the power rail system can be assembled in a highly flexible andcustomizable manner. For example, the longitudinal slot 208, thethreaded slot 204, and other such attachment components of the powerrail assembly 101 enable flexible placement of legs 600, privacy screens500, electrical outlet assemblies 800, and other components/accessories.Further, two or more power rail assemblies 101 may be joined together tocustomize the length or configuration of the power rail system. Stillfurther, any number of legs 600 may be attached to the power railassembly 101 at various positions along the length of the power railassembly 101. Still further, the number and placement of the electricaloutlet assemblies 800 within the power rail assembly 101 are fullycustomizable according to the number and configuration of power outlets801 required for the particular application of the power rail system.

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out inthe following numbered examples:

Example 1. A power rail system comprising: a first rail assemblyconfigured to be connected to a second rail assembly by a connectormember, the first rail assembly comprising: a sidewall; a first interiorcompartment at least partially enclosed by the sidewall, the firstinterior compartment extending longitudinally along the first railassembly; an opening in communication with the first interiorcompartment, the opening positioned along the sidewall; and a secondinterior compartment at least partially enclosed by the sidewall, thesecond interior compartment extending longitudinally along the firstrail assembly and configured to receive the connector member therein; anelectrical outlet assembly configured to be disposed at least partiallywithin the first interior compartment, the electrical outlet assemblycomprising an electrical outlet configured to be received through theopening such that a face of the electrical outlet is uncovered by thefirst rail assembly.

Example 2. The power rail system of Example 1, further comprising thesecond rail assembly and the connector member, the second rail assemblycomprising: a second sidewall; a third interior compartment at leastpartially enclosed by the sidewall, the third interior compartmentextending longitudinally along the second rail assembly; a secondopening in communication with the third interior compartment, the secondopening positioned along the second sidewall; and a fourth interiorcompartment at least partially enclosed by the second sidewall, thesecond interior compartment extending longitudinally along the secondrail assembly; wherein the connector member is positioned with both thesecond interior compartment and the fourth interior compartment toremovably secure the first rail assembly and the second rail assemblytogether.

Example 3. The power rail system of Example 2, wherein the connectormember is secured within each of the second interior compartment and thefourth interior compartment via fasteners.

Example 4. The power rail system of Example 2 or 3, wherein the firstrail assembly comprises a first length and the second rail assemblycomprises a second length.

Example 5. The power rail system of any one of Examples 1-4, furthercomprising a leg configured to be removably connected to the first railassembly.

Example 6. The power rail system of Example 5, further comprising: aslot extending longitudinally along the first rail assembly; wherein theleg is attachable to the slot via a mounting bracket.

Example 7. The power rail system of any one of Examples 1-6, furthercomprising a privacy screen configured to be removably connected to thefirst rail assembly.

Example 8. The power rail system of Example 7, further comprising: aslot extending longitudinally along the first rail assembly; a privacyscreen connector configured to removably receive the privacy screen;wherein the privacy screen connector is attachable to the slot via amounting bracket.

Example 9. The power rail system of any one of Examples 1-8, furthercomprising: a threaded slot extending longitudinally along the firstrail assembly; wherein the electrical outlet assembly is connectable ateither a first location or a second location of the threaded slot tosecure the electrical outlet assembly within the first interiorcompartment.

Example 10. The power rail system of any one of Examples 1-9, wherein:the electrical outlet comprises a first electrical outlet; theelectrical outlet assembly further comprises a second electrical outlet;and the second electrical outlet is oriented oppositely with respect tothe first electrical outlet.

Example 11. The power rail system of Example 10, wherein the openingcomprises a first opening and the face comprises a first face, the powerrail system further comprising: a cover configured to be removablyconnected to the first rail assembly, the cover comprising a secondopening configured to receive the second electrical outlet therethroughsuch that a second face of the second electrical outlet is uncovered bythe cover.

While various details have been set forth in the foregoing description,it will be appreciated that the various aspects of the techniques may bepracticed without these specific details. One skilled in the art willrecognize that the herein described components (e.g., operations),devices, objects, and the discussion accompanying them are used asexamples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that variousconfiguration modifications are contemplated. Consequently, as usedherein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussionare intended to be representative of their more general classes. Ingeneral, use of any specific exemplar is intended to be representativeof its class, and the non-inclusion of specific components (e.g.,operations), devices, and objects should not be taken as limiting.

Further, while several forms have been illustrated and described, it isnot the intention of the applicant to restrict or limit the scope of theappended claims to such detail. Numerous modifications, variations,changes, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents to those forms maybe implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, thestructure of each element associated with the described forms can bealternatively described as a means for providing the function performedby the element. Also, where materials are disclosed for certaincomponents, other materials may be used. It is therefore to beunderstood that the foregoing description and the appended claims areintended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variationsas falling within the scope of the disclosed forms. The appended claimsare intended to cover all such modifications, variations, changes,substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.

While particular aspects of the present disclosure have been shown anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, basedupon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the subject matter described herein and its broaderaspects, and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass withintheir scope all such changes and modifications as are within the truescope of the subject matter described herein. It will be understood bythose skilled in the art that, in general, terms used herein, andespecially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims),are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including”should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term“having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes”should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”). It will befurther understood by those within the art that if a specific number ofan introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will beexplicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation,no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, thefollowing appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases“at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations.However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply thatthe introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or“an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claimrecitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when thesame claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at leastone” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an”should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one ormore”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used tointroduce claim recitations.

In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitationis explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that suchrecitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recitednumber (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general,such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include, but not be limited to, systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skillin the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having atleast one of A, B, or C” would include, but not be limited to, systemsthat have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together,B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “Aor B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A”or “B” or “A and B.”

It is worthy to note that any reference to “one aspect,” “an aspect,”“one form,” or “a form” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in atleast one aspect. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one aspect,” “inan aspect,” “in one form,” or “in a form” in various places throughoutthe specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It should further be appreciated that, for convenience and clarity,spatial terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “lateral,” “proximal,” “distal,”and so on may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However,these terms are not intended to limit the use of the structuresdescribed herein to any particular orientation, and thus, these termsare not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described that result fromemploying the concepts described herein. The foregoing description ofthe one or more forms has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to theprecise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible inlight of the above teachings. The one or more forms were chosen anddescribed in order to illustrate principles and practical application tothereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the variousforms and with various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It is intended that the claims submitted herewith definethe overall scope.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A power rail system comprising: a rail assembly,comprising: a rail comprising a sidewall, wherein a first opening isdefined in the sidewall; and a cover configured to be removably coupledto the rail, wherein an interior compartment is defined in the railassembly based on the cover being coupled to the rail, and wherein asecond opening is defined in the cover; and an electrical outletassembly configured to be disposed at least partially within theinterior compartment, wherein the electrical outlet assembly comprises:a first electrical outlet on a first side of the electrical outletassembly; and a second electrical outlet on a second side of theelectrical outlet assembly, wherein the second side is opposite thefirst side; wherein the electrical outlet assembly is configured to bereceived within the interior compartment such that the first electricaloutlet is aligned with the first opening and the second electricaloutlet is aligned with the second opening.
 13. The power rail system ofclaim 12, further comprising an upstanding support configured to beremovably coupled to the rail assembly.
 14. The power rail system ofclaim 13, wherein the upstanding support comprises a first upstandingsupport, and wherein the power rail system further comprises a secondupstanding support configured to be removably connected to the railassembly.
 15. The power rail system of claim 13, wherein the upstandingsupport is coupleable to the rail assembly at a plurality of locationsalong a length of the rail assembly.
 16. The power rail system of claim12, wherein the rail further comprises: a first wall extending from thesidewall; and a second wall extending from the sidewall, wherein thefirst wall, the second wall, and the sidewall define a C-shaped,open-faced profile.
 17. The power rail system of claim 12, wherein therail comprises an extruded C-shaped member.
 18. The power rail system ofclaim 12, further comprising a threaded slot defined in the rail,wherein the electrical outlet assembly is coupleable to the rail at aplurality of locations along a length of the threaded slot.
 19. A powerrail system comprising: a rail assembly, comprising: a rail, comprising:a sidewall, wherein a first opening is defined in the sidewall; and afirst wall extending transversely from the sidewall, wherein a threadedslot is defined along a length of the first wall; and a cover configuredto be removably coupled to the rail, wherein an interior compartment isdefined in the rail assembly based on the cover being coupled to therail, and wherein a second opening is defined in the cover; and anelectrical outlet assembly configured to be disposed at least partiallywithin the interior compartment, wherein the electrical outlet assemblycomprises: a bracket mountable to the first wall at a plurality ofadjustable locations along a length of the threaded slot; a firstelectrical outlet on a first side of the electrical outlet assembly; anda second electrical outlet on a second side of the electrical outletassembly, wherein the second side is opposite the first side.
 20. Thepower rail system of claim 19, further comprising a leg configured to beremovably coupled to the rail assembly.
 21. The power rail system ofclaim 20, wherein the leg comprises a first leg, and wherein the powerrail system further comprises a second leg configured to be removablyconnected to the rail assembly.
 22. The power rail system of claim 20,wherein the leg is coupleable to the rail assembly at a plurality oflocations along a length of the rail assembly.
 23. The power rail systemof claim 19, wherein the rail forms a C-shaped, open-faced profile. 24.The power rail system of claim 19, wherein the electrical outletassembly is configured to be received within the interior compartmentsuch that the first electrical outlet is aligned with the first openingand the second electrical outlet is aligned with the second opening. 25.A power rail system comprising: a rail assembly, comprising: a C-shapedmember, comprising: a sidewall, wherein a first sidewall opening isdefined in the sidewall; a first wall extending from the sidewall; and asecond wall extending from the sidewall; a cover configured to beremovably coupled to first wall and the second wall, wherein an interiorcompartment is defined in the rail assembly when the cover is coupled tothe first wall and the second wall, and wherein a first cover opening isdefined in the cover; and an electrical outlet assembly configured to bedisposed at least partially within the interior compartment, wherein theelectrical outlet assembly comprises: a first electrical outlet on afirst side of the electrical outlet assembly; and a second electricaloutlet on a second side of the electrical outlet assembly, wherein thesecond side is opposite the first side; wherein the electrical outletassembly is configured to be received within the interior compartmentsuch that the first electrical outlet is aligned with the first sidewallopening and the second electrical outlet is aligned with the first coveropening.
 26. The power rail system of claim 25, wherein: a secondsidewall opening is defined in the sidewall; and a second cover openingis defined in the cover.
 27. The power rail system of claim 26, whereinthe electrical outlet assembly is configured to be received within theinterior compartment in: a first position, wherein the first electricaloutlet is aligned with the first sidewall opening and the secondelectrical outlet is aligned with the first cover opening; and a secondposition, wherein the first electrical outlet is aligned with the secondsidewall opening and the second electrical outlet is aligned with thesecond cover opening.
 28. The power rail system of claim 26, wherein theelectrical outlet assembly comprises a first electrical outlet assembly,wherein the power rail system further comprises a second electricaloutlet assembly comprising a third electrical outlet and a fourthelectrical outlet, and wherein the second electrical outlet assembly isconfigured to be received within the interior compartment such that thethird electrical outlet is aligned with the second sidewall opening andthe fourth electrical outlet is aligned with the second cover opening.29. The power rail system of claim 26, further comprising an uprightsupport configured to be removably coupled to the rail assembly.
 30. Thepower rail system of claim 29, wherein the upright support comprises afirst upright support, and wherein the power rail system furthercomprises a second upright support configured to be removably connectedto the rail assembly.
 31. The power rail system of claim 29, wherein theC-shaped member comprises an extruded C-shaped member.